The name Kiev is said tae derive frae the name o Kyi, ane o fower legendary foonders o the ceety (brithers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv, an sister Lybid). Durin its history, Kiev, ane o the auldest ceeties in Eastren Europe, passed throu several stages o great prominence an relative obscurity. The ceety mey hae been foondit in the 5t century as a tradin post, perhaps pairt o the land o the early Slavs. It gradually acquired eminence as the centre o the East Slavic civilization, becomin in the tent tae twalt centuries a poleetical an cultural caipital o Rus', a medieval East Slavic state. Completely destroyed durin the Mongol invasion in 1240, the ceety lost maist o its influence for the centuries tae come. It wis a provincial caipital o marginal importance in the ootskirts o the territories controlled bi its pouerful neighbours; first the Grand Duchy o Lithuanie, follaed bi Poland an Roushie.